Muscle exercising apparatus



Feb. 11, 1964 c. J. APOSTOL MUSCLE EXERCISING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9, 1961 INVENTOR. CHRIS J. APOSTOL ATTORNEYS Feb. 11, 1964 c. J. APOSTOL MUSCLE EXERCISING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 9, 1961 INVENTOR. CHRIS J. APOSTOKL %M ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,120,954 MUSCLE EXERCISING APPARATUS Chris J. Apostol, 340 East 4380 North, Provo, Utah Filed Jan. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 81,333 11 Claims. (Cl. 272F553) This invention relates to apparatus of the type designed to provide planned exercise for various muscles of the human body.

Apparatus of this type has been developed heretofore for use primarily in the field of physical therapy to provide corrective exercises for persons suffering from certain kinds of physical incapacity.

The present invention is particularly concerned with the training of athletic squads, for example football players, and has great utility for this purpose in the athletic programs of schools and other institutions.

Principal objects of the invention are to provide for the exercise of all major muscle groups of the lower limbs, and to do this effectively for an entire squad at once by means of a single apparatus having a plurality of exercising stations.

Outstanding features in the accomplishment of these objects are the provision of a table having multiple exercising stations, for individual athletes, arranged side-byside about the peripheral margins of its top, and the provision at each station of muscle exercising mechanism uniquely adapted for exercising various muscles of the low er limbs and for adjustment to fit individuals of different sizes. A raised pad disposed marginally of the table top places the legs of an individual, seated on the table, in proper position for most effective exercise.

A specific embodiment representing what is presently regarded as the best mode of carrying out the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 represents a top perspective view of muscle exercising apparatus for an athletic squad in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2, a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2. and drawn to a considerably enlarged scale;

FIG. 4, a similar view but taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5, a fragmentary front elevation taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6, a view corresponding to that of FIG. 3 but drawn to a much reduced scale and indicating schematically how the apparatus is used for exercising the quadricep muscles and how the femur bone is held parallel with the table top by means of the marginal pad;

FIG. 7, a similar view showing how the apparatus is used for exercising the calf muscles;

FIG. 8, another similar view showing how the apparatus is used for foot flexion;

FIG. 9, a view corresponding to that of FIG. 4 but drawn to the reduced scale of FIGS. 6-8 and showing how the apparatus is used for exercising the biceps femoris, commonly known as the hamstring; and

FIG. 10, still another similar view showing how the apparatus is used for exercising neck muscles.

Referring to the drawings:

In the form illustrated, the apparatus of the invention comprises an elongate, rectangular table 12 having a top surface 12a adapted to seat, about its peripheral margins, a group of athletes for planned exercise. In the present instance, the table seats siX and is sufliciently long to accommodate a user reclining lengthwise of the table with his legs or head projecting from one end.

Spaced about the lateral sides and ends of the table and secured thereto are muscle exercising mechanisms, which, collectively, provide multiple stations 13 for the several individuals making up the group of athletes.

Both of these mechanisms comprises a pair of mutually spaced brackets '14 secured to the table 12 along a margin thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom in order to space the working parts of the mechanism away from the side of the table sufficiently far to accommodate the legs of the user hanging over the edge of the table, see FIGS. 6 and 8. Pivotally attached to the brackets 14, respectively, as by means of pivot pins 15, are a pair of arms 16, which hang downwardly and swing about a horizontal axis that passes through the pivot pins and extends along the table. As so arranged, arms 16 can be swung upwardly and outwardly of the table.

Secured to and interconnecting the lower ends of arms 16 is a weight carrier in the form of a shaft 17, which extends parallel with the aforementioned pivot axis and mounts a padded roller 18 between the arms. Shaft 17 projects beyond arms 16 for the reception of one or more weights 19, FIG. 2, of selected value. Roller 18 is adapted for engagement by the feet of a user of the apparatus, as in FfGS. 6' and 8.

It is preferred that the connection of the Weight carrier to the arms be adjustable lengthwise of such arms, so as to make possible adaptation of the mechanism to various individuals. For this purpose, it is a feature of the invention that disks it} are employed, these being rotatably attached at their centers to the lower ends of arms 16, respectively, and shaft 17 being carried by such disks. As shown, shaft 17 extends through roller 18 and aligned receiving openings provided in the circumferential margins of disks 20 and is secured against displacement longitudinally by means of collars 21 anchored in any suitable manner, as by set screws (not shown). Its position relative to the lengths of the arms 16 can be varied by rotating such disks relative to the arms and locking them in any desired position, see the diverse position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For locking purposes, disks 20 are provided with respective circumferential series of holes 22 and arms 16 are provided with registering holes, respectively, for the reception of locking pins 23.

With the exercising mechanisms so constructed, the individuals sit at the respective stations 13 on the table 12 with their legs dangling over the edge. Their feet engage the padded rollers 13 as indicated in FIGS. 6 and 8 and exercise of the quadriceps proceeds with the raising and lowering of the weighted arms in the manner indicated by dotted lines.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a raised pad about the peripheral margins of the table, so that the femur bones of the legs of the individuals exercising are held substantially parallel with the top of the table, as indicated in FIG. 6. This makes for more rigorous exercise and also gives bracing support to the legs during the exercise. As illustrated, elongated pads 24, made up of any suitable material, are placed along the edges of the table 12 marginally of the seating surface 120. Each pad gradually slopes downwardly and inwardly of the surface from a ridge 24a extending lengthwise of the pad and marginally of the table. The ridge is preferably rounded forwardly as shown, so as to comfortably support the legs of the users of the apparatus during the exercise.

The exercising mechanisms are preferably adapted for various exercises, for example, that shown in FIG. 7 intended to develop muscles of the calf. For this purpose, opposite ends 18a of the padded rollers 18 are reduced in diameter, so that they may be easily grasped by the hands of users of the apparatus and manipulated in the manner indicated in FIG. 7.

The dorsal foot flexion exercise indicated in FIG. 8 is carried out from a sitting position with the locking pins 23 removed, so that adjustment disks are free to rotate. The provision for this exercise along with the other exercises possible with this apparatus constitutues a significant and important feature of the exercising mechanism of this invention. While the pad is helpful for the proper execution of this exercise, it is not nearly so important as it is in connection with the quadriceps exercise previously described and may be satisfactorily carried out whether or not the table is padded marginally.

For the purpose of exercising the biceps femoris or socalled hamstring muscles of the legs, and also muscles of the neck when desired, the exercising mechanisms at the end stations 13 are augmented by the provision of auxiliary arms and rollers, which are used from reclining positions on the table 12.

As illustrated, a second pair of arms is provided at and extending angularly outwardly from the pivot ends of the arms 16, respectively, of these end mechanisms. They extend preferably at a 90 angle or thereabouts and, together with the arms :16, form bell cranks. The free ends of these arms 25 are interconnected by rollers 26, which are also parallel to the pivot axis and, thus, to the rollers 18.

In carrying out the leg and neck exercises of FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively, the roller 26- is the one which is en gaged by the legs and neck of the user of the apparatus, as shown. Adjustment of position of weighbcarrying shaft 17 relative to the outer circumferential margins of disks 20*, as previously explained, shortens or lengthens bell crank arms 16 and thereby provides a way of c ranging the effective value of the weights utilized. For these exercises, it is preferred that the end pads 24 be removed, and, to this end, they are preferably made separable from the table top While the side pads 24 are preferably permanently fastened to such table top.

While a seating and reclining structure accommodating a group of individual users is illustrated, it should be realized that a structure accommodating only one individual and having only a single exercising station can be constructed if desired. Moreover, while the marginal padding represents an important part of the invention in connection with the quadriceps exercise, it may be dispensed with in connection with the other exercises.

Whereas there is here illustrated and described a certain prefererd construction of apparatus which I presently regard as the best mode of carrying out my invention, it should be understood that various changes may be made withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed herebelow.

I claim:

1. Muscle exercising apparatus, comprising a table; a raised pad on and extending marginally of the top of the table, said pad sloping gradually downwardly and inwardly of the table from a ridge extending along the length of the pad and marginally of the table; and leg exercising mechanism secured to and extending at intervals along the sides and ends of said table in operative relationship to the table top, which serves as a seat, said mechanism providing a series of individual exercising stations, the

mechanism at each station comprising bracket means secured to the table and projecting outwardly therefrom; arm means pivotally attached to said bracket means on a horizontal axis which extends along the table, said arm means normally hanging downwardly from said axis so as to swing upwardly andoutwardly away from the table; and weight-carrying means at the lower end of the arm means and extending along the table parallel with said axis for engagement by the feet of a person sitting on the table.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein adjustable means secure the weight-carrying means to the lower end of the arm means for .varying the position of the former relative to the length of the latter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arm means comprise a pair of arms mutually spaced along the table, and the weight-carrying means includes a shaft extending between and beyond the arms of said pair for the reception of weights, and a padded roller mounted on said shaft and extending between said arms for engagement by the feet of a person sitting on the table.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the table is sufficiently long to accommodate reclining position of users along its length, portions of the pad which extend along the ends of the table being removable; and wherein the mechanism at the ends of the table each additionally comprises second arm means extending outwardly of the table from the first arm means at the pivot locations and forming bell crank means therewith, and means at the outer end of said second arm means for engagement by the legs of a person reclining on the table.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first and second arm means each comprises a pair of arms mutually spaced along the table, the weight-carrying means includes a shaft extending between and beyond the pair of arms of the first arm means for the reception of weights, and a padded roller mounted on said shaft and extending between said arms, and the means for engagement by the legs of a person reclining on the table includes a padded roller mounted between the pair of arms of the second arm means.

6. Muscle exercising apparatus, comprising seating structure having an elevated, substantially unyielding, seating surface and a raised pad extending along the front margin of said seating surface, said pad sloping gradually downwardly and inwardly toward said surface from a ridge extending along the length of the pad; and leg exercising mechanism secured to the front of said structure in operative relationship to said seating surface, said mechanism comprising bracket means secured to the structure and projecting outwardly therefrom; arm means pivotally attached to said bracket means on a horizontal axis which extends along the structure, said arm means normally hanging downwardly from said axis so as to swing upwardly and outwardly away from the structure; and weight-carrying means at the lower end of the arm means and extending along the structure parallel with said am's for engagement by the feet of a person sitting on said surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein adjustable means secure the weight-carrying means to the lower end of the arm means for varying the position of the former relative to the length of the latter.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the arm means comprise a pair of arms mutually spaced along the table, and the weight-carrying means includes a shaft extending between and beyond the arms of said pair for the reception of weights, and a padded roller mounted on said shaft and extending between said arms for engagement by the feet of a person sitting on the said surface.

9. Muscle exercising apparatus, comprising structure having an elevated, substantially horizontal surface for accommodating a user of the apparatus, said surface being sufficiently long to accommodate reclining position of such a user along its 'length; and muscle exercising mechanism secured to an end of said structure below but in operative relationship to said surface, said mechanism comprising bracket means secured to' said structure and projecting outwardly therefrom; arm means pivotally attached to said bracket means on a horizontal axis which extends along said structure, said arm means normally hanging downwardly from said axis so as to swing upwardly and outwardly away from said structure; weightc-arrying means at the lower end of the arm means and extending along the structure parallel with said axis for engagement by the feet of a person sitting on said surface; adjustable means securing the weight-carrying means to the lower end of said arm means, said adjustable means including a disk having a circumferential series of holes along its outer margin, said disk being rotatably secured at its center to the lower end of the arm means, so as to extend at right angles to said structure, and the weightcarrying means being secured to and extending from a face of said disk adjacent the circumference thereof; disengageable means for locking said disk at various adjusted positions about its path of rotation or for leaving it freely rotatable; second arm means extending outwardly of the structure from the first arm means at the pivot locations and forming bell crank means therewith; and means at the outer end of said second arm means for engagement by the legs of a person reclining on said surface.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first and second arm means each comprise a pair of arms mutually spaced along the table, the weight-carrying means includes a shaft extending between and beyond the pair of arms of the first arm means for the reception of weights, and a padded roller mounted on said shaft and extending between said arms, and the means for engagement by the legs of a person reclining on the table includes a padded roller mounted between the pair of arms of the second arm means.

11. Muscle exercising apparatus, comprising structure having an elevated, substantially horizontal surface for accommodating a user of the apparatus; and muscle exercising mechanism secured to a side of said structure below but in operative relationship to said surface, said mechanism comprising bracket means secured to said structure and projecting outwardly therefrom; arm means pivotally attached to said bracket means on a horizonal axis which extends along said structure, said arm means comprising a pair of arms mutually spaced along the structure and normally hanging downwardly from said axis so as to swing upwardly and outwardly away from said structure; Weight-carrying means at the lower end of the arm means and including a shaft, extending along the structure parallel with said axis and between and beyond the arms of said pair for the reception of weights, and a padded roller mounted on said shaft and extending between said arms for engagement by the feet of a person sitting on said surface, said padded roller having opposite end portions of reduced diameter adapted for grasping by the hands of a user of the apparatus; adjustable means securing the weight-carrying means to the lower end of said arms, said adjustable means including a pair of disks, each having a circumferential series of holes along its outer margin, said disks being rotatably secured at their centers to the lower ends of the respective arms, so as to extend at right angles to said structure, and the shaft being secured to and extending from a face of each disk adjacent the circumference thereof; and disengageable means for locking said disks at various adjusted positions about their paths of rotation or for leaving them freely rotatable.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 810,939 Heffner Ian. 30, 1906 1,158,779 Bolger Nov. 2, 1915 2,855,199 Noland et a1. Oct. 7, 1958 

1. MUSCLE EXERCISING APPARATUS, COMPRISING A TABLE; A RAISED PAD ON AND EXTENDING MARGINALLY OF THE TOP OF THE TABLE, SAID PAD SLOPING GRADUALLY DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLY OF THE TABLE FROM A RIDGE EXTENDING ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE PAD AND MARGINALLY OF THE TABLE; AND LEG EXERCISING MECHANISM SECURED TO AND EXTENDING AT INTERVALS ALONG THE SIDES AND ENDS OF SAID TABLE IN OPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP TO THE TABLE TOP, WHICH SERVES AS A SEAT, SAID MECHANISM PROVIDING A SERIES OF INDIVIDUAL EXERCISING STATIONS, THE MECHANISM AT EACH STATION COMPRISING BRACKET MEANS SECURED TO THE TABLE AND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM; ARM MEANS PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO SAID BRACKET MEANS ON A HORIZONTAL AXIS WHICH EXTENDS ALONG THE TABLE, SAID ARM MEANS NORMALLY HANGING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID AXIS SO AS TO SWING UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY AWAY FROM THE TABLE; AND WEIGHT-CARRYING MEANS AT THE LOWER END OF THE ARM MEANS AND EXTENDING ALONG THE TABLE PARALLEL WITH SAID AXIS FOR ENGAGEMENT BY THE FEET OF A PERSON SITTING ON THE TABLE. 